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Opportunity to train pet armies (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spare time

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'opportunity' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'train pet armies' is the wordplay.
'train' indicates an anagram (to train can mean to grow something into a shape).
'pet'+'armies'='petarmies'
'petarmies' with letters rearranged gives 'SPARE TIME'.

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spare time that I've seen before include "When we can please ourselves what we do" , "Leisure moments" , "leisure hours" , "Prime seat for leisure period" , "Free period, no commitments (5,4)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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